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I started a quest to find terrific blues music and incredible musicianship when I was just a little kid. I also have a tremendous appreciation of fine musical instruments and equipment. One of my greatest joys all of my life was sharing my finds with my friends. I'm now publishing my journey. I hope that you come along!


Please email me at Info@Bmansbluesreport.com

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

The Bottle Rockets: new album, song, tour!




The Bottle Rockets announce new album, song, tour

The Bottle Rockets will release their new album Bit Logic on October 12th, 2018. The forthcoming full-length is the St. Louis quartet's first since 2015's South Broadway Athletic Club. The band recently teased a sneak preview song premiere of the album title track via Wide Open Country.





In support of Bit Logic, the Bottle Rockets will continue to tour across the country, including an upcoming appearance at AmericanaFest in Nashville.

Aug. 16 — El Dorado, Ark. — The Griffin
Aug. 17 — Pocola, Okla. — Gilley’s at Choctaw Casino
Aug. 18 — Reeds Spring, Mo. — Living Room Show
Aug. 30 — New Albany, Ind. — Living Room Show
Aug. 31 — Manchester, Ky. — Manchester Music Fest
Sept. 7 — Crystal City, Mo. — Twin City Days Party on the Cobblestone
Sept. 14 — Nashville, Tenn. Bloodshot Records Backyard Bash
Oct. 11 — Grand Rapids, Mich. — Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill
Oct. 12 — Cleveland, Ohio — Beachland Tavern
Oct. 13 — Buffalo, New York — Sportsmen’s Tavern
Oct. 14 — Toronto, Ontario CA — Lee’s Palace
Oct. 16 — Northampton, Mass. — Iron Horse Music Hall
Oct. 17 — New York, N.Y. — Hill Country Live
Oct. 18 — Washington, D.C. — Gypsy Sally’s
Oct. 19 — Philadelphia, Pa. — Milkboy
Oct. 21 — Charleston, W.V. — Mountain Stage
Nov. 7 — Wisconsin Dells, Wisc. — Showboat Saloon
Nov. 8 — Milwaukee, Wisc. — Shank Hall
Nov. 9 — Three Oaks, Mich. — Acorn Theater
Nov. 14 — St. Paul, Minn. — Turf Club
Dec. 1 — Macomb, Ill. — Tri States Public Radio Show
Dec. 7 — Bloomington, Ill. — The Castle Theater
Dec. 8 — Springfield, Ill. — Bar None

Aiken & Friends Music Fest Brings Three Days of Music & Workshops to Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, New Jersey, on September 20-22











Aiken & Friends Music Fest Brings Three Days of Music & Workshops to Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, New Jersey, on September 20-22



Proceeds Go to Scholarships for Students and

Music Education



BRANCHBURG, NJ – Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Mike Aiken, whose new CD, Wayward Troubadour, is generating rave reviews and solid radio airplay, will once again present his “Aiken & Friends Music Fest – North Branch,” a three-day program of music and workshops, at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg on September 20-22. Proceeds go toward scholarships and programs for the students, in keeping with Aiken’s mission to support music education.



“It started with my desire to start an original music festival that would feature mostly Americana and acoustic music … from bluegrass, blues to singer/songwriter,” Mike Aiken says about the festival’s origin. “Geographically, the location needed to have a good vibe of its own. As I’ve traveled and toured, I’ve kept my eyes and ears open for the right locale.

“The first twelve years, the Fest had a home in Smithfield, Virginia. In 2017, we added a new Fest location in Branchburg, New Jersey. Aiken & Friends Music Fest – North Branch is rooted on the Community College campus of RVCC – Branchburg, New Jersey. Under the guidance of Arts Director, Alan Liddell, we look forward to many years continuing to support and promote original music.”

The three-day event will feature a number of different musical shows by Mike Aiken, as well as other solo artists and groups, starting with a residency at 1:00pm on Thursday, September 20, with the M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio, discussing the evolution of the Piedmont Blues style, how it reflected life at that time and how it has influenced music styles since. MSG will perform a few songs along with a Q&A session.   

Workshops on Friday, September 21, include techniques of guitar, songwriting and indie music promotion, followed by a Songwriter In-the-Round concert at the RVCC Arts Nash Theatre at 7:30pm.

On Saturday, September 22, Raritan Valley Community College will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a day-long schedule of events. Several college departments will showcase their programs around campus with the music festival continuing on the quad during the afternoon, and in the Nash Theatre that evening.  In addition to the music and special events, there will be local artisans, food, and new this year, a children’s area.

Events Schedule:

Thursday, Sept.20

Residency at 1 pm with M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio: Evolution of Piedmont Blues, Q&A and music.



Friday, Sept. 21

Workshops 12 pm – 1pm - Open to the public, students from RVCC, as well as local high schools. Pre-registration required.



Guitar Workshop - Brian Ashley Jones, Nashville session player http://www.brianashleyjones.com

Songwriting Workshop - Mike Aiken www.mikeaikenmusic.com

Indie Music Promotion Workshop - Amy Aiken, President, Northwind Records

7:30 pm Songwriter In-The-Round Concert in the RVCC Nash Theatre

Mike Aiken, Brian Ashley Jones, Sally Jaye (http://www.sallyjaye.com)



Saturday, Sept. 22 

RVCC is celebrating their 50th anniversary and the day will be built around the festival.



Outdoor Stage - art vendors, food, kids area

2:00 pm Last year’s open mic winner, local artist Phil Swanson (https://www.philswanson.com)

2:30 pm Last year’s open mic winner, local artist Jo Stones (https://jostonesmusic.bandcamp.com)

3:00 pm MSG Acoustic Blues Trio (from Hampton, VA http://www.acousticbluesmsg.com )

4:00 pm Banjo Nickaru and Western Scooches (from NYC http://banjonickaru.com)

5:00 pm Session Americana (from Boston http://www.sessionamericana.com)

7:30 pm Mike Aiken Band - Tall Tales & Troubadours Show closes the festival in the Nash Theater



Tickets:

Tickets are available for each individual day or as a Weekend Pass. To purchase tickets, go to

http://www.aikenandfriendsfest.com/tickets/. Or call the box office Monday-Friday, 11am-4 pm at 908-725-3420.








About Mike Aiken



If anybody has earned the title of “Wayward Troubadour,” Mike Aiken has. He ran away as a kid to play music. He became a licensed USCG Captain, has sailed over 30,000 Bluewater miles on his own sailboat and logged countless miles on the road performing in North America and Europe.



“Mike Aiken’s new release, Wayward Troubadour (Northwind Records), is one of those summertime Americana ‘kick back and hang out’ collections perfect to pop in the stereo and launch into the season.” – Americana Highways

“With so much fake country music hogging the airwaves, it’s downright refreshing -- like a cool mountain breeze -- to hear such a Wayward Troubadour as Mike Aiken.” – Aquarian Weekly

“Mike Aiken delivers an album rooted in traditional country, with moments of Western Swing that will fit very nicely in your summer playlist… These are songs that will have you smiling and head-bobbing and generally feeling carefree. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Just wait until you hear this album.”
- Parcbench.Live – New York City

“Mike is something of a John Prine crossed with Ry Cooder.” - Sail Magazine

Roseleaf Records artist: The Proven Ones - Wild Again - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Wild Again, from The Proven Ones and it's quite good. Opening with Jimi Bott penned, Cheap Thrills, The Proven Ones hit the high stepping with a driving bass line by Willie J Campbell, Bott on drums, Anthony Geraci on Hammond and piano, Kid Ramos on guitars and Brian Templeton on lead vocal, this is a veritable who's who band. Up next is City Dump, a rolling boogie not unlike James Brown might use with nice solos by Ramos and Renato Coranto on sax, joined by Joe McCarthy on trumpet and Robert Crowell on bari sax. Fats Domino's Don't Leave Me This Way has great dynamics with excellent vocals by Templeton and ripping guitar work by Ramos. Excellent! Peter Green's slow shuffle, If You Be My Baby, has perfect pace and with the jangle of Geraci's piano, Templeton's vocals and the stylistic playing of Ramos, this track really hits! Clarence Carter's Road Of Love had the fortune of having had Duane Allman on the original release giving it broad exposure. This remake is excellent with Templeton doing a great job on vocal and Ramos taking a new route but with definite nod to Allman with a fiery solo of his own. Probably my favorite track on the release. A Fenton Robinson track (and another Duane Allman influenced track from an early Boz Scaggs release) Loan Me A Dime, gets an 11:30min plus dedication. Ramos really digs in on this one ripping some extremely memorable guitar riffs of his own, soaked in the Hammond work of Geraci and of course with the solid lead vocals of Templeton. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Lennon/McCartney's Don't Let Me Down, a solid contribution with balanced instrumentation and nicely interwoven leads throughout. A very nice closer for a really strong release. 

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Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Out Of The Past Music artist: Steve Howell & The Mighty Men - Good As I Been To You - New release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Good As I Been To You, from Steve Howell & The Mighty Men featuring Katy Hobgood Ray and it's freshly familiar. Opening with 50's blues rocker, Bacon Fat, Howell leads on vocal and guitar with Chris Michaels on guitar, Dave Hoffpauir on drums, and Jason Weinheimer on bass and setting a strong groove. On Memphis Minnie's New Dirty Dozen, Katy Hobgood Ray takes the mic and her vocals blend nicely with the throaty guitar work of Howell. Walter Davis' Come Back Baby has a smooth approach, along the lines of Eric Clapton and Howell's vocals are perfect with just the touch of guitar. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Blues In The Bottle with it's ideal symmetry. Howell's vocals are smooth and the backing guitar, bass and drums are spot on. A lightly salted guitar solo by Howell tops off the track nicely. Wrapping the release is Blind Blakes You Gonna Quit Me played in easy shuffle style. Howell sounds as relaxed as a bluesman gets and his guitar work, paired with Michaels' really matches the pace nicely. A cool contemporary blues release. 

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Monday, August 13, 2018

Acclaimed Saxophonist Steve Wilson Confirms Concerts in DC and NYC, Collaborations with Billy Childs and Chick Corea, and expansion of educational efforts






Acclaimed Saxophonist Steve Wilson Confirms Active Fall/Winter, with Concerts in D.C. and NYC, Collaborations with Billy Childs and Chick Corea, and More

International Educational Efforts Continue

First Tour of China as Bandleader is a Huge Success
Acclaimed jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson looks forward to an active Fall/Winter, as he confirms headlining concerts at Blues Alley in Washington D.C. and at Jazz Standard in New York City, as well as collaborations with Billy Childs and Chick Corea, and an expansion of his ongoing educational efforts.

The D.C. and NY concerts will feature Wilson’s Analog Band, comprised of Ray Angry on piano/keys, Ben Williams on bass and Willie Jones III on drums. Confirmed shows are as follows:

September 5th       Blues Alley           Washington, D.C.
September 6-9th    Jazz Standard       New York City

These dates are Wilson’s first concerts since the recording of ‘Sit Back, Relax & Unwind’ (J.M.I. Records,) an analog recording, released only on vinyl.  The album was produced by Wilson and Steven Mandel, Music Producer for The Tonight Show. RoughTrade called the release “Mr. Wilson’s definitive artistic statement…” and DustyGroove described it as “one of the most beautiful records we’ve heard from Steve Wilson…”

Prior to the September headlining shows, Wilson will perform with Chick Corea at the Detroit Jazz Festival. Then, in October/early November, he will tour Europe with Billy Childs. Following the Childs tour, Wilson will perform a series of headlining European dates from November 6-19, with his acclaimed Wilsonian’s Grain Band, featuring Uri Caine on piano, Ugonna Okegwo on bass and Ulysses Owens, Jr on drums.  More tour details here: http://www.stevewilsonmusic.com/itinerary.php
<http://www.stevewilsonmusic.com/itinerary.php>

In other news, Wilson recently completed his first tour of China as a bandleader, and the limited run was a huge success. On the Education front, Wilson’s efforts continue to expand: He was just an Artist in Residence at the Funote Summer Jazz Camp run by faculty members from Shangahi Conservatory.  He was also Artist in Residence at Michigan State in East Lansing, MI, and the visit went so well they asked him back for their Summer Band Festival, which he then attended in June. Wilson continues to serve as the Chair of Jazz Studies at CCNY, and has also just joined the 2019 faculty of Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute in Chicago. He recently recorded an educational video for Open Studio, with release date tba. Other artists who have done these online courses include Dianne Reeves, Peter Martin, Geoffrey Keezer, Christian McBride, and more.

Steve Wilson was cited DownBeat Magazine’s annual Critics’ Poll, in the categories of alto, soprano, and flute.

At http://www.stevewilsonmusic.com/, visitors can get updates, sample new tunes and see performance footage. The site, part of the Jazz Corner family, also includes a streaming audio player, details of Wilson's numerous band configurations, and more.

Visit: https://www.facebook.com/stevewilsonmusic/
<https://www.facebook.com/stevewilsonmusic/>
Visit: https://www.instagram.com/stevewilsonsax/ <https://www.instagram.com/stevewilsonsax/>

Modern Blues Harmonica label artists: The Blues Doctors - Same Old Blues Again - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Same Old Blues Again, from The Blues Doctors and it's cool. Opening with The Champs' track, Tequila, a Latin flavored R&B number ever popular since it's inception in the late 50's. Handled here with melody on harp and rhythm just claps and guitar. This is a lively song and a super opener. Mud's Rollin' & Tumblin' is up next with Adam Gussow on harp and Alan Gross on lead vocal and cigar box guitar. Very nice. Another Chicago style blues track, Cry For Me Baby features Gussow on lead vocal and harp and Gross laying down some nice electric guitar riffs. Bog Boy Crudup's That's Alright gets a great workout with lead vocal and harp solo by Gussow and snappy picking by Gross. Very cool. Original instrumental track, Blues For Hank is one of my favorites on the release with a nice walking bass line by Bill Harrison and each Gussow and Gross taking nice solos. Kicking it into high gear with Jimmy Reed's You Don't Have To Go, Gussow alternates harp and lead vocal and Gross's electric rhythm guitar tone is great. Another of my favorites on the track is Take You Downtown with warm chord work and bright solo exchange by Gross and lead vocal and harp by Gussow. Wrapping the release is Robert Johnson's Crossroads Blues with an emphasis on harp rather than guitar... a different take for this popular blues track made popular by the Cream. This is not to say that Gross doesn't get his turn and he does a real nice job but Gussow does come back and close with some tight harp riffs. Nice closer.



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Friday, August 10, 2018

Vanessa Peters (indie-folk, singer-songwriter, Americana) releasing new album in October



Vanessa Peters
Photo credit: Brent Baxter Photography



Acclaimed singer-songwriter Vanessa Peters set to release Foxhole Prayers via Idol Records on October 5th

“a true poet and a brilliant songwriter” – Rootsville


Dallas, TX-based indie-folk singer-songwriter Vanessa Peters is set to release her new album, Foxhole Prayers, on October 5, 2018, via Idol Records.  In Foxhole Prayers, Peters’s already-considerable songwriting prowess has risen to its fullest stature, presented as a concise, gut-punching collection of songs composed of piercing observations of both the outside and inside worlds.

“I’m a literature geek at heart and for years I’ve wanted to do an album somehow influenced by The Great Gatsby, but the idea seemed much too nerdy and abstract,” explained Peters. “But after I re-read it last year, it dawned on me that we were literally reliving the Gatsby years. Suddenly I could see all the corrupt and self-indulgent characters from the book all around me, with Trump as some kind of PT Barnum-meets-Warren G. Harding character.  I was on tour in Europe at the time and had some time off between shows, so I holed up in a tiny apartment in Utrecht for four days and began writing the songs that would become the basis for the new album.”

Peters shines a bright light on the modern world, illuminating the perilous rise of populist politics, the seemingly incessant swirl of violence around us, the struggle to remain positive in dark times, and the need to stand strong against hate and desperation.  The album is dark at times, but Peters reminds us on upbeat songs like “Lucky” and album opener “Get Started” that we forge our own luck from sheer determination and in finding gratitude even in the face of hardship. Never before have we heard Peters speak out as forcefully as she does in “Carnival Barker,” one of the album’s most pointed tracks which takes direct aim at not just populist politics but also the frightening way that history repeats itself.  And it is impossible to remain dry-eyed throughout the starkly-honest “Fight,” in which Peters movingly bares her deepest fears as a songwriter.

In Foxhole Prayers, Peters demonstrates that she has not only reached an entirely new level of lyricism, but has vaulted into a new echelon of musicality. The album reflects a pleasingly diverse yet cohesive collection of styles, effortlessly weaving modern electronica elements and drum machines into more familiar acoustic and rock arrangements. The result is a splendid musical tapestry that unfolds from the first insistent notes of “Get Started” and keeps the listener sonically mesmerized throughout. For the record, Peters turned to producer Rip Rowan (Old 97’s, Rhett Miller), producer John Dufilho (Deathray Davies, Apples in Stereo), and what has now become her established stable of all-star musicians, including longtime sideman and Grammy-winner Joe Reyes (Buttercup) and Dallas guitar hero Chris Holt (Don Henley) on electric guitar.  Dufilho and bassist Andy Lester form the rhythm section for most of the album, while Peters’s European bandmates (Federico Ciancabilla, Andrea Colicchia) also make an appearance on a couple of tracks.  

On the deeply personal “Fight,” the track opens simply and builds to an emotional climax on a swell of interlocking guitar melodies evocative of Bends-era Radiohead. “Before it Falls Apart” is an instantly striking, minimalist arrangement of drum machines, acoustic and electric guitars, and a rich vocoder that suggests a more analog version of Imogen Heap. On “This Riddle,” producer Rowan gives the track a decidedly Neil Finn treatment, with intersecting live and looped drums and swirling mellotrons. The album also showcases the band’s ability to deliver punchy raw rock on tracks like “Trolls” and “Carnival Barker.” Throughout the album, Peters’s voice is lush and blissful as never before, dominating the mix and commanding the listener’s attention to every word. And that’s the point: these are big songs, full of weight and meaning, demanding to be heard - and Peters makes the listener feel every syllable.

Over the years, Peters has gotten comparisons to songwriters like Suzanne Vega, Beth Orton, Aimee Mann, Josh Ritter, and others.  Rootsville called her “a true poet and a brilliant songwriter,” while No Depression praised her “metaphor-rich songs” and “the depth and substance of her skillfully-crafted lyrics.” The Dallas Observer called her “the best kind of singer-songwriter.”  Peters has released 11 albums and has played over 1000 shows in 11 countries as an independent artist.  She has been crowdfunding her albums for over a decade, long before Kickstarter ever existed.  She was nominated as Best Folk Artist by the Dallas Observer.  The Ft. Worth Star-Telegram praised her most recent release, The Burden of Unshakeable Proof, for its “10 gorgeously-sculpted tracks, a blissful shuffling of folk, pop, and jazz bound together by Peters’s peerless voice.”  Peters spent 2016 and 2017 touring the US and Europe with her band, while The Burden of Unshakeable Proof received airplay on over 100 different AAA, college, and public radio stations across the country. The album was found on a number of "best of" lists at year's end, including No Depression’s “Alt-Country and Beyond” list. 

In early 2018, Peters performed solo at 30A Songwriters Festival, and she has opened for artists like John Oates, 10,000 Maniacs, Horse Feathers, and Griffin House.  Peters plans to tour – both solo and with her band – in support of Foxhole Prayers, both in the United States and abroad.  Tour dates will be announced soon.

https://vanessapeters.com/



Vanessa Peters
Photo Credit: Brent Baxter Photography


AMY RAY premiers a song from "Holler" - out Sept. 28 via Daemon/Compass




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